New South Wales endured a nightmare night in Sydney as they slipped to a heavy 38-10 loss to Queensland.
The Blues battled hard but were always up against it after Joseph Suaalii was dismissed for a high shot on Reece Walsh after just seven minutes.
A number of Michael Maguire's men stood up amidst the adversity but in the end the numerical disadvantage proved far too difficult to overcome.
MORE: QLD Maroons player ratings for Game I
State of Origin 2024 Game 1: NSW Blues player ratings
James Tedesco - 6
After believing his Origin career may have been over after he was snubbed for Dylan Edwards, the former skipper answered Maguire's SOS call after the Penrith fullback pulled up lame at training.
Tedesco pried around the left edge defence of Queensland in the opening exchanges and got his team on the scoreboard with a try in the 15th minute when he reacted quickest to a grubber into the in-goal.
Brian To 'o - 5
Relatively quiet night for the winger who got through his work with minimal fuss to finish with 184 run metres.
Stephen Crichton - 6.5
The Bulldogs skipper started on the left before going over to the right and finally putting a clamp on QLD's attacking raids in the first stanza.
Almost charged over late in the piece to grab a try his display perhaps deserved.
Joseph Suaalii - 0
Sent Tom Dearden flying with his first run of the night and then knocked out Reece Walsh with a jamming tackle to be sent from the field after just seven minutes.
He became just the sixth man to receive his marching orders in Origin history.
Zac Lomax - 7
Two carries in his side's opening set showed his early intention.
The Dragons winger constantly went looking for work out of yardage but did struggle in defence on occasion during a chaotic period after the send-off.
He leapt highest early in the second half to reel in a Nicho Hynes kick and touch down to give the Blues a sniff.
Jarome Luai - 5
Caught out at marker by Daly Cherry-Evans as the Manly playmaker exploited him in defence to send Ben Hunt over for the first try of the match.
Made amends moments later when he threaded a grubber through for his fullback to pounce upon.
The five-eighth occasionally threatened with his footwork close to the line but failed to convert any half chances into points for the rest of the night.
Nicho Hynes - 4.5
Kicked one dead close to the line during the Blues' first attacking foray which proved to be a massive error and a sign of things to come as Queensland rolled down the field and scored through Hunt.
In his second kick in almost identical position, Hynes posted a bomb which forced an error from the opposition that Tedesco ended up scoring from in the resulting set.
In a nightmare scenario though following Suaalii's send-off, Hynes was forced to defend in the centres and struggled to contain Selwyn Cobbo before Crichton was finally moved over.
The playmaker set up Lomax for a four-pointer early in the second half before some fifth tackle plays let the Maroons off the hook.
Jake Trbojevic - 4
Tackled everything in sight through the middle during his first stint but could do nothing to stop the onslaught as the visitors established an imposing 20-6 lead when he left the field.
He only returned for the final four minutes.
Reece Robson - 6.5
Robson was solid in defence as he scrapped for anything and everything.
He made a desperate last-ditch tackle on the line to stop Jeremiah Nanai from scoring and extending the 20-10 lead, while making several other big plays to keep his side within touching distance.
The Cowboys hooker was out on his feet by the end though after playing the whole game at the coal face.
Payne Haas - 6
Haas was put on the backfoot almost from the first whistle with Suaalii's dismissal but fought valiantly.
The big prop finished with 38 tackles and just over 100 running metres as he tried to do his part to lift the team.
Liam Martin - 6
Smashed Xavier Coates on a massive kick chase in the second period which inspired his side after switching over from the right to left edge.
He then produced an even better one by flattening J'maine Hopgood.
Angus Crichton - 7
Not at his best with the ball in hand due to the circumstances but still put in a shift on the edge and through the middle. He finished with over 150 run metres and 25 tackles.
Cameron McInnes - 6
The Cronulla lock produced exactly what was expected of him during his two stints. Made plenty of tackles and carried strongly through the middle.
Isaah Yeo - 4.5
Generally played his hand well off the bench but had a moment to forget when he flung a pass out the back straight into the hands of Daly Cherry-Evans.
The Manly skipper made him pay with an inch perfect kick during the break for Coates to score and put some icing on the cake.
Haumole Olakau’atu - 4
Brought on in an unfamiliar position through the middle rather than on the right edge. Provided plenty of power in attack and defence but didn't look his usual threat with the ball due to the congestion.
Spencer Leniu - 7
Won a set restart off his first carry of the night after being introduced in the first stanza and provided a massive lift for his team right when they needed it after being reduced to 12 men.
Leniu nearly charged over from close-range but was held up by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's incredible effort to get underneath the ball.
Missed a chunk of the second period after going off for a HIA but returned to the fray full of intent once again as he tried to inspire his side as he finished with 100 run metres and seven tackle busts.
Hudson Young - 3
The only Blues player to not get onto the field in the first half, the Canberra backrower was eventually introduced after 55 minutes but made no impact.
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